(Photography: Kate Walsh)
Fridgescaping is a trend that’s stirred quite a lot of controversy online – to decorate the interior of your fridge, or to not?
There’s no doubt that an organised fridge makes mealtime more efficient, as it’s arranged in a clean, appealing and efficient system that just makes sense. Not only can it help to prevent rotting food, but storing produce correctly can keep it fresher for longer.
Fridgescaping has taken it to a whole new level with people putting vases, flowers, picture frames and even fairy lights inside their fridges.
While we can’t deny it’s beautiful to look at, we have so many questions. So, we turned to Better Homes and Gardens‘ own experts, stylist Kate Walsh and food editor Sarah Murphy, to help us decide if the fridgescaping trend is a hit or a miss.
What is fridgescaping?
Fridgescaping is a TikTok-created trend that has people decorating the interior of their fridge. But it doesn’t just stop there; we’ve seen people switch up decor themes based on their favourite TV shows, movies and seasons.
One TikTokker who’s guilty of this is @lynzilving. She’s stunningly pulled off the themes of The Hobbit, Bridgerton, Beetlejuice, Enchanted Forest and Fall.
See this stunning Bridgerton fridgescape
@lynziliving When I tell you I’m constantly opening my refrigerator right now just to look at it, I am not exaggerating! I’m plotting meals and pretty ways to romanticize meals. I’m on cloud 9 and heaven is Bridgerton, or rather Fridgerton. 😂 #refrigeratororganization #refrigeratorrestock #kitchenorganization #regencycore #bridgerton #fridgescaping #fridgeorganisation #hudsonvalley #bridgertontiktok ♬ Bridgerton (Theme) – The Theme System
What do the public say about fridgescaping?
We took to TikTok and scoured the comments for a general consensus of what people think of this wild trend.
The majority of people love the idea, think it’s beautiful and have taken inspiration from it – one way or another.
“My common sense tells me not to waste the precious fridge space doing this, but my heart says to make it happen anyways,” says one comment.
“You inspired me to put a fruit basket in my fridge, and my daughter hasn’t stopped eating apples,” another person commented.
“It’s beautiful! You’ve inspired me to use baskets for produce and pretty glass pitchers for beverages and flowers, and herbs in vases,” says another.
What do the experts say about fridgescaping?
It’s extra and pretty, but is it practical?
We asked stylist Kate Welsh to give fridgescaping a try, and here’s what she had to say.
“The fridgescaping trend can be a refreshing and stylish way to bring some joy to your fridge,” Kate says.
“Flowers, fresh fruits and vegetables bring a natural, organic feel, promoting a healthy lifestyle while adding vibrant colours and textures. In my view, fridgescaping isn’t always the most practical choice. However, there are certainly elements you can incorporate to enhance functionality while adding a touch of style. It’s about finding the balance that works best for you.”
Kate cleared out her fridge and got to work adding decorative items to give it a proper test run. When organising the storage and balancing decor items, she focused on 3 key strategies.
1. Cohesion
Kate used containers and bins of similar colours and materials to create a polished, cohesive look.
2. Functionality
Kate balanced décor and function by creating specific zones for different types of items. She created a fresh produce zone with stylish baskets to bring warmth and hold produce like apples, pears or tomatoes. She also recommends containers with adjustable sections that are perfect for grouping together different fruits and veggies such as sliced peppers, cherry tomatoes or grapes. Having dedicated cheese and beverage sections also keeps everything organised while looking aesthetic and allowing airflow throughout the fridge.
3. Decorative
Storing fresh herbs and produce in a way that’s both pretty and practical can enhance your fridge’s appeal while keeping everything fresh.
Kate recommends using sleek egg trays instead of regular cartons for a minimalist, polished appearance. Similarly, drink dispensers or clear water pitchers can replace bulky bottles and cartons. Add minimalist labels on clear containers, jars or shelves, and choose sleek, modern fonts for an added stylish touch.
Place a lazy Susan on a fridge shelf to store condiments, sauces or small jars. It allows you to easily rotate and access items without digging through the fridge.
Lastly, create a “fridge garden” with herbs by placing herbs or flowers in a mason jar filled with water.
How to keep it hygienic
When it comes to mixing fresh produce with flowers or decor pieces in the fridge, it’s important to consider hygiene. We asked our food editor, Sarah Murphy, for her advice.
“It’s important to choose food-safe vessels for your styling, and that they are washed thoroughly before use. If you’re adding flowers to your fridgescape, choose flowers that are food-safe. Even though you may not be eating them, their petals or pollen may drop onto the foods below.”
One downside Sarah anticipated for fridgescaping is space.
“Many people have said they waste less food in this method, as it looks beautiful and they enjoy shopping their fridge. However, you could find the addition of extra styling items makes it tricky to see what’s in your fridge quickly. Ultimately it’s personal choice and what works for you.”
Where to draw the line
While fridgescaping can be beautiful, there are a few things that need to be considered before beginning, such as where to draw the line. Here’s what Kate had to say…
- Overcrowding: Too many items can make the space feel cluttered and impractical, especially if you need to access the fridge often.
- Perishable decor: Avoid items that might wilt quickly or rot, such as fresh flowers that need constant replacement or sensitive foods.
- Fragile items: Avoid placing anything fragile or spillable (such as candle wax) too close to where you’re opening and closing the fridge.
- Excessive weight: Stacking heavy items on top of the fridge could affect the cooling system or make the surface hard to clean.
Are our experts going to fridgescape going forward?
Sarah, food editor: “I probably won’t be decorating my fridge, as I don’t really have much space to spare for decos in there. But I think the idea of having brightness and fun in your fridge is great. Like a lot of trends, it’s about taking what works for you from the concept – so I might look for some brightly coloured pretty storage containers or baskets or fun labels to bring a hint of this trend to my fridge.”
Kate, stylist: “I would definitely introduce more decorative items into my fridge on a day to day. I believe no matter the size of the fridge or the amounts of contents in it, there is always a way to add in some decorative touches. Personally I would do them very subtly by adding in texture to create more warmth into the space such as using baskets and allowing the fruit and vegetables to be seen.”
Swap flowers for fresh herbs
While she won’t be adopting fridgescaping permanently, Sarah has offered up some tips to style a fridge without going overboard. “Trim the ends of fresh herbs slightly, then place in a jug or jar and partially fill the base with water. Pop a plastic bag loosely over the herbs and store in the fridge (you’ll need to change the water every few days when it becomes cloudy). If you’re storing basil, use the same concept but leave at room temp and not in the fridge. I find the back of the fridge is often a little too chilly for herbs, so try to keep them toward the front. Alternately (although not as pretty), you can lightly damp some paper towel and wrap herbs loosely in the damp paper towel.”
Kate recommended a few items that she would include in her fridge if incorporating fridgescaping into her weekly cleaning routine.
What worked – a stylist’s two cents
- Flowers: A small vase of fresh flowers or dried bouquets for a natural, lively feel.
- Cookbooks: A few cookbooks that match the kitchen’s style, leaning against the side or top of the fridge, bring in both style and inspiration.
- Fruit basket: A bowl of colourful fruits on top of the fridge adds a healthy, decorative touch.
Fridgescaping safety tips
Fridgescaping looks fun, but it’s important to be cautious of what you leave in your fridge for longer amounts of time and that it’s maintained to a high standard. Otherwise it can lead to some not-so-good repercussions. Here are some general safety tips.
1. Keep it clean
Always clean up spills right away and keep your fridge clean in general. This prevents bacteria growth, prolongs fruit freshness and helps to avoid cross-contamination. Always keep raw meat covered and on the bottom shelf.
2. Only use food-safe storage items
While antiques may look pretty in the fridge, they may contain harmful materials such as lead. To avoid any unhygienic routines, only use food safe containers and storage baskets.
3. Don’t block the air vents
Make sure the fridge doesn’t get over-cluttered, so the vents can circulate even airflow and it doesn’t impact the fridge’s temperature.
